Improvement in washing-machines



A. 0. HORTON. Washing-Machine.

No. 213,989. f Patented April'S, |879.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIoE.

ALPHONZO C. HORTON, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.

IMPROVEMENT IN WASHING-MACHINES.

Specication forming part of Letters Patent No. 213,989, dated April 8,1879 5 application filed January 23, 1879.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALPHoNzo C. HcRToN, of the city of Indianapolis,county of Marion,

.and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Pounder Washing-Machines, of which the following is a specification,reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which are made parthereof', and on which similar letters of reference indicate similarparts.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my machine, mounted on a tub, which isshown partly in section, so as to show the grating in the bottomthereof, and also to bring the pounders into view as they appear whenready for work. Fig. 2 is a plan of the grating in the bottom of thetub. Fig. 8 is a vertical section of one of the pounders, showing theinside construction thereof; and Fig. 4 is a plan view of the under sideof the same, giving an outline and interior view of the shape in which Iprefer to construct them.

In said drawings, the portion marked A represents the tub; B, thegrating in the botfom thereof; C D, the upright standards, which arefastened to the sides of the tub, and

which support the other frame-work and mechstiffen the machine, andwhich may or may not be employed, at the option of the user; I, ahandle, by which the machine is operated; J, a connecting-rod,connecting the handle with the other mechanism; K, a lever, by which thepower and length of the stroke may, by varying the points of attachmentj j, be regulated; L, the shaft which drives the pounders M, a spring,by which the shaft L is given its upward motion; N, a cross-head,carrying a pounder at each end 5 O, a ratchet, fastened to saidcross-head, and surrounding the shaftL 5 P, a pawl, so located andarranged as to engage .with said ratchet at each upward movement of the.shaft, and thus impart to said cross-head a partial revolution; Q, a pinor equivalent device, by which the movements of said pawl are confinedto the proper distance; R, a spring on the lower end of the shaft L,Which serves the double purpose of giving elasticity to the stroke ofthe pounders and of preventing by its friction the cross-head fromrevolving too far, or farther than the pawl P will carry it; S, shortadjustable shafts,carry ing pounders on their lower ends; and T, thepounders.

The object of my invention is to produce a washing-machine the poundersof which will automatically revolve around a vertical shaft, and thusvisit every portion of the tub, subjecting all the clothes therein toequal pounding and agitation. This object is satisfactorily accomplishedby the machine herein shown and described, and which operates asfollows: The handle I being operated draws up through the intermediateparts the cross-head N, which carries the pounders. As the cross-headrises it comes in contact with the end of -the pawl P, which engages inone of the notches of the ratchet O and pushes it around, carrying withit the cross-head and the pounders connected therewith. These pounders,being near the edges of the tub, and being propelled a short distance ateach upward stroke, visit equally all portions of the tub, and thusremove the dirt from the clothes thoroughly and evenly.

The pounders T T may be made of any suitable material, though tin orother sheet metal is most usually employed. It is important, however,that they should be given a means of suction, so that the clothes willbe lifted from their places as the pounder is given its upward stroke,and thus be agitated more thoroughly. I do this by making them with twoflanges on the bottom, of which the outer, t1, inclines outwardly fromthe center, and the inner, t2, inwardly toward the center. This peculiararrangement I nd very effective for the purpose specified.

The grating B, on the bottom of the tub, is for the purpose of keepingthe clothesi' from resting upon the solid bottom and to facilitate theflow of water through and under them.

A joint, l', is preferably constructed in the shaft L, above thebearings, through which it runs, in order that the slight lateral motiongiven by the working of the handle I or lever K may not disturb thevertical position of said shaft.

The lever K and connecting-rod J may be 2. The combination of the tub A,frame work C I) I G, pounder-carrying shaft L, lever K, connecting linkor rod J, and handle I, substantially as shown and specified.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal at Indianapolis,Indiana, this 21st day of January, Afl). 1879.

t. BRADFORD, WM. J. M ILLNER.

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